View source for SS Binnendijk

{{short description|Dutch cargo steamship sunk by a mine off Portland Bill in the English Channel}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= 
|Ship caption= 
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{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship country= Netherlands
|Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Netherlands}}
|Ship name= ''Binnendijk''
|Ship namesake= 
|Ship owner= [[Holland America Line|NASM]]
|Ship operator= [[Holland America Line]]
|Ship registry= [[Port of Rotterdam|Rotterdam]]
|Ship route= 
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= I.M. 'De Noord', [[Alblasserdam]]
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 131
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 30 June 1921
|Ship completed= 18 December 1921
|Ship acquired= 
|Ship maiden voyage= 24 December 1921
|Ship refit= 
|Ship in service= 
|Ship out of service= 
|Ship identification= *[[code letters]] NHBK (until 1933)
*{{ICS|November}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Bravo}}{{ICS|Kilo}}
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] PDDB (1934 onward)
*{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Delta}}{{ICS|Bravo}}
|Ship fate= [[Naval mine|mined]], 7 October 1939
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class= NASM "B" class
|Ship type= [[cargo ship]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|6873}}, {{NRT|4240}}, {{DWT|9939}}
|Ship displacement= 
|Ship length= *{{cvt|126.9|m|1|disp=flip|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]]
*{{cvt|400.4|ft|abbr=on}} registered
|Ship beam= {{cvt|54.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= {{cvt|30|ft|2|in|abbr=on|2}}
|Ship depth= {{cvt|36.6|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 2 + shelter deck
|Ship power= 648 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]], 3,000 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|SHP]]
|Ship propulsion= *2 × [[steam turbine]]s
*[[Gear train|double-reduction gearing]]
*1 × [[Propeller|screw]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|12|kn|km/h}}
|Ship capacity= *'''cargo:'''
*{{cvt|527000|cuft}} grain;
*{{cvt|478000|cuft}} bale
*'''passengers:'''
*as built: 3 × [[First class travel|1st class]]
*1934: 7
|Ship crew= 42
|Ship sensors= wireless [[direction finding]] (by 1937)
|Ship notes= one of a class of eight [[sister ship]]s
}}
|}

'''SS ''Binnendijk''''' was a [[Holland America Line]] (NASM) [[Cargo ship|cargo]] [[steamship]]. She was one of NASM's "B" class ships: the company's first cargo ships to be powered by [[steam turbine]]s. ''Binnendijk'' was built in [[South Holland]] in 1921, and sunk by a [[Naval mine|mine]] in the [[English Channel]] in 1939. She was the first ship that NASM lost in the [[World War II|Second World War]]. Her wreck off the coast of [[Dorset]], [[England]] is now a [[wreck diving]] site, nicknamed "The Benny".

Some sources anglicise the ship's name to ''Binnendyk''. However, [[Lloyd's Register]] always recorded her as ''Binnendijk''.

=="B" class turbine steamships==
Until 1920, every NASM cargo ship was propelled by a reciprocating steam engine; in most cases [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion]]. However, in April of that year [[:nl:Van der Giessen (scheepswerf)|C. van der Giessen & Zonen's]] shipyard in [[Krimpen aan den IJssel]] [[Keel laying|laid down]] the first of a class of new ships of about {{GRT|6850}} for NASM. Each member of the class was to be driven by two [[John Brown & Company|Brown]]-Curtis [[steam turbine]]s, driving a single [[Propeller|screw]] via [[Gear train|double-reduction gearing]].

Van der Giessen launched the first ship in October 1920 as ''Burgerdijk'', completed her in June 1921,<ref name=Burgerdyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=1175 |title=Burgerdyk – ID 1175 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> and went on to build three more members of the class.<ref name=Blijdendyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=1002 |title=Blijdendyk – ID 1002 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=Blommersdyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=1011 |title=Blommersdyk – ID 1011 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref><ref name=Bilderdyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=972 |title=Bilderdyk – ID 972 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> Industrieële Maatschappij 'De Noord', on the [[Noord (river)|Noord]] river in [[Alblasserdam]] built two,<ref name=SMHD>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=981 |title=Binnendyk – ID 981 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> including the final member of the class, ''Boschdijk'', which was completed in October 1922.<ref name=Boschdyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=1067 |title=Boschdyk – ID 1067 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> [[:nl:Boele|Boele's Scheepswerven & Machinefabriek]] in [[Bolnes]] in South Holland built one,<ref name=Breedyk>{{cite web |url=https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=1113  |title=Breedyk – ID 1113 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref> and [[Fijenoord|Maatschappij voor Scheeps- en Werktuigbouw Fijenoord]] in [[Rotterdam]] built one.<ref name=Beemsterdyk>{{cite web |url= https://www.marhisdata.nl/schip&id=873 |title=Beemsterdyk – ID 873 |work=Stichting Maritiem-Historische Databank |language=nl |access-date=3 June 2023}}</ref>

==Building ''Binnendijk''==
'De Noord' built ''Binnendijk'', which was the third member of the class to be completed. She was yard number 131, and was launched on 30 June 1921. [[Harland & Wolff]] built her turbines, so she was towed from the Noord to [[Belfast Harbour|Belfast]], [[Ireland]], where she arrived on 1 October for them to be installed. She was completed on 18 December.<ref name=SMHD/>

Her lengths were {{cvt|126.9|m|1|disp=flip|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|overall]] and {{cvt|400.4|ft|abbr=on}} registered. Her beam was {{cvt|54.3|ft|abbr=on}} and her depth was {{cvt|36.6|ft|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|6873}}, {{NRT|4240}} and {{DWT|9939}}. Her holds had capacity for {{cvt|527000|cuft}} of grain, or {{cvt|478000|cuft}} of baled cargo. She also had three berths for [[First class travel|first class]] passengers.<ref name=SMHD/>

The combined power output of ''Binnendijk''{{'}}s turbines was rated at 648 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]]{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922|loc=BIL–BIR}} or 3,000 [[Horsepower#Shaft horsepower|SHP]]. They gave her a speed of {{convert|12|kn|km/h}}.<ref name=SMHD/>

==Career==
NASM [[Ship registration|registered]] ''Binnendijk'' at [[Port of Rotterdam|Rotterdam]]. Her [[code letters]] were NHBK.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922|loc=BIL–BIR}} She began her maiden voyage on 24 December 1921.<ref name=SMHD/>

In December 1929 ''Binnendijk'' was in [[Port of Philadelphia|Philadelphia]] when she was seriously damaged by fire. She returned to Rotterdam for repairs.<ref name=SMHD/>

By 1934 the [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] PDDB had supreseded ''Binnendijk''{{'}}s code letters.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1934|loc=BIE–BIO}} Also in 1934, her accommodation was increased to carry seven passengers.<ref name=SMHD/> By 1937 she was equipped with wireless [[direction finding]].{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1937|loc=BIA–BIN}}

==Loss==
In September 1939 ''Binnendijk'' left [[Port of New York and New Jersey|New York]] carrying general cargo, bound for Rotterdam.<ref name=Helgason>{{cite web |url= https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/58.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Binnendijk |work=uboat.net |access-date=6 October 2013}}</ref> On 7 October she was in the English Channel when the Royal Navy ordered her to put into [[Portland Harbour]] to allow her cargo to be inspected for contraband. It was sunset, so ''Binnendijk''{{'}}s [[Master mariner|Master]], [[Sea captain|Captain]] WPJ Morée, requested permission to anchor for the night near the Shambles Sandbank, off [[Portland Bill]].<ref name=Havering>{{cite web |url= http://www.hsd1223.org.uk/wreck-information/binnendijk-ss/ |title=Binnendijk SS |publisher=Havering Scuba Divers |access-date=6 October 2013 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120203182321/http://www.hsd1223.org.uk/wreck-information/binnendijk-ss/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A month earlier, on 8 September, {{GS|U-26|1936|2}} had mined the area.<ref name=Kindell>{{cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xDKWW2-3910-07OCT01.htm |last=Kindell |first=Don |title=Naval Events, October 1939 (Part 1 of 2) Saunday 1st – Saturday 14th |work=British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day |publisher=Naval-History.net |access-date=6 October 2013}}</ref> By 22:00 hrs ''Binnendijk'' had detonated a magnetic mine about {{convert|2+1/2|nmi|km}} southeast of the Shambles lightship. Captain Morée was on the bridge at the time. The explosion put her engines and [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless telegraph]] out of action, and she caught fire. Her crew fired rocket [[flare]]s, which were answered. A British examination vessel came alongside and rescued all 42 members of her crew.<ref name=Havering/>

The ship was burning from stem to stern when she sank the next day, at position {{coord|50|32|N|2|20|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}, about {{convert|1|nmi|km}} north of the lightship.<ref name=Havering/> Sources disagree as to whether she sank at 02:00<ref name=Kindell/> or 14:00 hrs.<ref name=Helgason/> On 10 October the Royal Navy used explosives to disperse her wreck.<ref name=Helgason/>

==Fate of "B" class sister ships==
In 1930 ''Blijdendijk''{{'}}s cargo caught fire in the [[Gulf of Suez]]. She was declared a [[Marine insurance#Constructive total loss|constructive total loss]], and towed to [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] to be scrapped.<ref name=Blijdendyk/>

In 1940 {{GS|U-48|1939|2}} sank ''Burgerdijk''<ref name=Burgerdyk/> and {{GS|U-47|1938|2}} sank ''Bilderdijk''.<ref name=Bilderdyk/> In 1941 {{SS|Beemsterdijk||2}} was sunk by a mine, killing 39 of her crew.<ref name=Beemsterdyk/> ''Boschdijk'' was burnt out in the [[German invasion of the Netherlands]] in 1940, and towed to the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] in 1942, where the [[Luftwaffe]] sank her as [[target practice]].<ref name=Boschdyk/> Also in 1942, {{GS|U-68|1940|2}} sank ''Breedijk'', killing her [[Master mariner|Master]] and a member of her crew.<ref name=Breedyk/>

''Blommersdijk'' was the only "B" class ship to survive the Second World War. In 1957 an Italian shipping company bought her and renamed her ''Vivara''. She was scrapped in 1959.<ref name=Blommersdyk/>

==Wreck==
''Binnendijk''{{'}}s wreck is on Lulworth Banks at a depth of {{convert|23|to|27|m|0|disp=flip}}. The wreck is now much broken up, but parts stand {{convert|7|to|8|m|0|disp=flip}} above the seabed. As of 2012, many of her frames and hull plates were still intact. The most intact part was the stern. Enough of her [[engine room]] was extant for [[penetration diving]]. Parts of her cargo were still visible, including tyres, and copper wire. The wreck provides habitat for [[lobster]], [[Majoidea|spider crabs]], [[conger]] eel, [[Trisopterus luscus|pouting]], [[pollock]], and [[tompot blenny]]. The site is relatively sheltered by Portland Bill, but is near Portland Race, so can be subject to strong currents.<ref name=Havering/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |year=1995 |title=Holland America Line |series=Merchant Fleets series |volume=28 |place=Uckfield |publisher=Travel Creatours Ltd Publications |isbn=0946378258}}
*{{cite book |year=1922 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motor Vessels |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1923ST/page/n149/mode/1up |via=[[Internet Archive]] |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1922}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0114.pdf |via=[[Southampton City Council]] |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1934}} }}
*{{cite book |year=1937 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/37/37b0113.pdf |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1937}} }}

{{Holland America Ships}}
{{1929 shipwrecks}}
{{October 1939 shipwrecks}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wresit}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Binnendijk}}
[[Category:1921 ships]]
[[Category:1937 fires in the United States]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1937]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in October 1939]]
[[Category:Ship fires]]
[[Category:Ships built in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Ships of the Holland America Line]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by mines]]
[[Category:Steam turbine-powered ships]]
[[Category:Steamships of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:World War II merchant ships of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the English Channel]]
[[Category:Wreck diving sites in England]]